ST. MARYS — Critics say the "Star Trek" series have improved over the years. The special effects have grown better with each of the five series and the acting is not so overdone as that of the original cast.

Although he still prefers the original with Capt. James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock, Brian Wentworth attended Friday's open house of the St. Marys production facilities where episodes of "Starship Farragut" will be filmed beginning early next year.

The reason that Wentworth and others came is simple: Once a Trekkie, always a Trekkie.

The independent Web film project is based on the original series, which debuted in 1966, with the Farragut as a sister ship to the original Enterprise. The producers moved filming from Washington to St. Marys for an affordable location where they could build elaborate sets that won't be dismantled and stored after every production.

During the open house, Wentworth and other fans sat in the captain's chair, flipped switches on the craft's control panel, entered the turbo lift and met actors with the project.

Wentworth left more than an hour later with autographed videos of Farragut productions that he said he plans to watch during an upcoming vacation.

"I've always been a Trekkie," he said. "I think this is sweet."

'A good lesson in reality'

Another self-described Trekkie, Debbie Barz of Kingsland, said she has attended "quite a few" "Star Trek" conventions. "Voyager" is her favorite series, but said, "I like them all. I've been a fan since the '60s."

She brought her 10-year-old grandson, Andrew Young, also a fan, for "a good lesson in reality."

Barz said she wants Andrew to understand the difference between reality and the fantasy universe depicted in "Star Trek."

The open house did not curb Andrew's enthusiasm as he visited different duty stations on the set and pushed buttons to activate control panel lights and screens.

"I like 'Star Trek' so much," he said. "It's awesome."

The film group has generated excitement in St. Marys and surrounding areas, said Chris Daniel, director of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce.

"It's fun stepping onto a real movie set," she said. "Maybe we'll have more of this."

Al Daniels, a "Star Trek" fan and owner of five Domino's stores in the region, said he plans to support the independent, nonprofit project any way he can.

"This is very good for the community," he said. "I love what I see here."

Holly Bednar, an actor who plays the role of Lt. Cmdr. Michelle "Mike" Smithfield, said she was impressed with the turnout. She said producers are seeking volunteers who want to get into the film industry.

Besides actors, Bednar said the production needs people with skills in sound, lighting and sewing for costumes.

Each production can take as long as 10 months, including filming in St. Marys, adding special effects in Oregon and editing in Maryland, she said. So far, the group has produced two full-length episodes and two shorter productions.

"There's a lot of work that goes into this," she said.

Contact hbednar@ starshipfarragut.com for information about the production or to volunteer.